Joint Meeting of the NLFSC, NLTA and NLSBA on School Fees

November 15, 2001

Summary

Present: Rene Wicks (NLTA), Cyril Hayden (NLSBA), Eva Whitmore (NLFSC)

General discussion led to a suggestion by Rene that a joint standing committee of the NLTA, NLFSC and NLSBA to discuss educational issues of common interest would be beneficial to all. Cyril agreed on behalf of the NLSBA, Eva agreed on behalf of the NLFSC (subject to approval by the NLFSC executive) and Rene agreed to take the suggestion to the NLTA executive. The goal is to arrange a meeting for two or three representatives from each organization in early December to discuss the mandate of the committee and to identify priorities.

Eva explained that NLFSC plans to prepare recommendations on the management and reduction of school fees to present to the Minister of Education, and that NLFSC called this meeting to see if the three groups could agree on a set of recommendations to present jointly.

Cyril indicated that school fees are not a priority for the NLSBA at this time. Though the NLSBA would like to see the elimination of school fees, he indicated that air quality, building infrastructure, professional development, and program inequities take precedence.

Action:

NLFSC will develop recommendations to be discussed by its membership and ultimately presented to the Minister. Once drafted, a copy will be provided to the NLTA and the NLSBA to give them the opportunity to review the document and to decide whether or not to participate in its presentation.

Action:

Rene offered to have the NLTA librarian research practices in other provinces in Canada with respect to school fees and other charges to parents. Eva will provide the NLTA with information NLFSC has collected.

Submitted by: Eva Whitmore

Executive Director, NLFSC

November 16, 2001.